
“Always go a little further.”
— Ken Gosnell | Founder and CEO of CXP
Discover how the teachings of Jesus shape business decisions, leadership clarity, and purpose-driven success.
What if your business wasn’t just about growth… but about eternal impact?
In today’s world, it’s easy to separate business from faith. But this episode challenges that idea at its core. It reveals that business can—and should—reflect the Kingdom of God through the way leaders think, act, and make decisions.
These aren’t abstract ideas. They are biblical business principles rooted in the teachings of Jesus and seen throughout Scripture—principles that apply to every part of life, not just business.
And according to the episode, they all point toward one ultimate goal: To live and lead in a way that allows you to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Why Biblical Principles Matter in Business
Business is not separate from your spiritual life.
In fact, these principles are described as tools that help leaders:
Make better decisions
Grow their business
Strengthen their personal relationship with Jesus
Align their work with God’s Kingdom
They are not just helpful—they are foundational.
As shared in the episode:
Business is hard
Life is short
Eternity is long
Which means how you lead—and why you lead—matters deeply.
The 3 Foundations of Biblical Business Principles
The episode organizes these principles into three key categories based on the life and teachings of Jesus:
1. The Proclamations of Jesus
These are the direct statements Jesus made that guide behavior and decision-making.
Example:
“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go two.”
This isn’t just about customer service—it’s about how you approach everything in life and business.
2. The Parables of Jesus
These are stories that reveal deeper truths about leadership, stewardship, and responsibility.
Example:
The parable of the talents, where individuals are entrusted with resources and expected to steward them well.
3. The Practices of Jesus
These are the patterns and habits Jesus demonstrated.
Example:
Understanding order—knowing what comes first, second, and third
Staying aligned with that order in life and leadership
These three categories shape how leaders:
Think
Act
Make decisions
Build businesses
5 Biblical Business Principles Every Leader Should Apply
Let’s walk through five of the core principles shared in the episode.
1. Always Take the Second Step
This principle comes from Jesus’ teaching:
If someone forces you to go one mile, go two.
What It Means
Many leaders treat this as a customer service idea—but that’s too narrow.
It’s actually a way of life.
It applies to:
Leadership
Finances
Operations
Employee relationships
A Key Insight
There are five powerful words that capture this principle:
“Always go a little further.”
Why It Matters
The episode highlights that:
Successful companies practice this consistently
It creates a competitive edge
It separates excellent businesses from average ones
A Deeper Truth
No matter the situation:
There is always another step to take
That step often requires faith
Like the example of Moses:
Facing the Red Sea
Unable to move forward or backward
God told him to take one step
And only after that step… the path was revealed.
2. The Golden Rule Works (If You Work It)
Jesus taught:
Do to others what you would have them do to you.
What It Means
This principle used to be widely understood—but today, many have forgotten it.
Yet it remains essential.
In Business, This Looks Like:
Putting people first
Making decisions that benefit customers
Building relationships, not just transactions
A Critical Reminder
The episode makes this clear:
Businesses that focus only on the bottom line are short-sighted.
A Better Question to Ask
Instead of:
“Is this profitable?”
Ask:
“Is this good for the customer?”
Why This Works
When people feel:
Cared for
Heard
Valued
They build stronger relationships with the business—and that leads to long-term success.
3. Grow Profit with Purpose
Jesus asked:
What good is it to gain the world and lose your soul?
What It Means
Profit is necessary—but it’s not enough.
Key Distinction
Profit alone → can feel empty
Profit with purpose → creates lasting impact
Important Insight
Even successful companies:
Aren’t always profitable
But can always be purposeful
A Powerful Idea
The episode introduces the concept of:
“No margin, mission.”
Meaning:
You don’t need profit to have impact
Purpose can exist even in difficult seasons
Why Purpose Matters
When businesses operate with purpose:
They stand out
They create legacy
They become a channel for Kingdom impact
4. Know Your Yeses and No’s
Jesus taught:
Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.
What It Means
Clarity is one of the most important leadership traits.
Why It Matters
When leaders are clear:
Teams become clear
Decisions become focused
Trust increases
A Leadership Reality
Growth without clarity creates problems.
The episode highlights the importance of:
Growing at the right pace
Making decisions carefully
Avoiding overextension
A Key Insight
Anyone can start something.
But:
Sustaining it is what makes the difference.
5. Move from Owner to Overseer
This principle comes from the parable of the talents.
What It Means
You don’t truly “own” your business.
You are:
A steward
An overseer
Responsible for what you’ve been given
Why This Shift Matters
The way you lead changes depending on how you see your role.
Owner mindset → control
Steward mindset → responsibility and accountability
A Key Practice
Leaders should:
Measure performance
Ask for accountability
Evaluate how resources are used
A Deeper Perspective
When you shift from owner to overseer:
You invite God into your business decisions
You align your work with a higher purpose
You lead with greater intention

The Bigger Mission Behind Business
This episode reminds us:
Business is not just about:
Growth
Revenue
Success
It’s about:
Impact
Stewardship
Transformation
Through the Three Fish Model, the mission becomes clear:
Give a fish — provide startup loans
Teach to fish — offer business training
Equip for discipleship — multiply spiritual impact
This model shows that business can:
Break cycles of poverty
Create sustainable livelihoods
Advance the Great Commission
Final Thought: The Real Goal of Leadership
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to build something successful.
It’s to build something that matters.
Something aligned with:
God’s purpose
God’s principles
God’s Kingdom
Because success is not just measured in results…
But in whether you hear:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Watch full episode on YT - https://youtu.be/Ah0XgHAGo_Y
Listen to full episode on itunes/spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/23OaYpkcUds7IqNJHgSyJF?si=tuzUFfdHRaqUXPXIiWqgmg
Join the free Third Fish Academy at ThirdFish.org
Transcript Evidence
Biblical business principles help leaders make better decisions and align with God’s Kingdom
Principles drawn from proclamations, parables, and practices of Jesus
“Go the second mile” applies to all areas of life and business
Golden Rule: treating others well leads to long-term business success
Profit should be paired with purpose, not pursued alone
Clear yes and no decisions create strong leadership and trust
Leaders should shift from ownership to stewardship
Business can create global impact through the Three Fish Model
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